This outbreak investigation is over. Illnesses could continue because people may not know they could get a Salmonella infection from contact with pet turtles. Read the Advice for Pet Owners.

Outbreak Advisory

76
Cases

19
States

30
Hospitalizations

0
Deaths

CDC and multiple states investigated a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles.

A total of 76 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agbeni were reported from 19 states.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 1, 2017 to December 1, 2017.

Of 63 people with available information, 30 were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

24 (32%) ill people were children younger than 5.

Epidemiologic and laboratory findings linked this outbreak of human Salmonella Agbeni infections to contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about contact with animals during the week before becoming ill. Twenty-three (38%) of the 60 people interviewed reported contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat, before getting sick.

Of the 23 ill people who had contact with turtles, 14 (61%) reported contact with small turtles that had a shell length of less than four inches. They reported purchasing the turtle from a street vendor or receiving the turtle as a gift.

In 2015, state and local health officials collected samples from turtles at a street vendor. Whole genome sequencing showed that the Salmonella Agbeni isolated from ill people in this outbreak was closely related genetically to the Salmonella Agbeni isolates from the turtles at the street vendor. This close genetic relationship means that illnesses in this outbreak were likely linked to turtles.

All turtles, regardless of size, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. These outbreaks are a reminder to follow simple steps to enjoy pet reptiles and keep your family healthy.

This outbreak investigation is over. Illnesses could continue because people may not know they could get a Salmonella infection from contact with pet turtles.

Previous Outbreak Advisories

66
Cases

18
States

23
Hospitalizations

0
Deaths

Since the last update on August 29, 2017, 29 more ill people have been reported from 14 states.

CDC and multiple states are investigating a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles.

A total of 66 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agbeni have been reported from 18 states.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 1, 2017 to October 14, 2017

Of 53 people with available information, 23 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Twenty-three (35%) ill people are children younger than 5.

Epidemiologic and laboratory findings link the outbreak of human Salmonella Agbeni infections to contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about contact with animals during the week before becoming ill. Twenty (40%) of the 50 people interviewed reported contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat, before getting sick.

Of the 20 ill people who had contact with turtles, 12 (60%) reported contact with small turtles that had a shell length of less than 4 inches. They reported purchasing the turtle from a street vendor or receiving the turtle as a gift.

In 2015, state and local health officials collected samples from turtles at a street vendor. Whole genome sequencing showed that the Salmonella Agbeni isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the Salmonella Agbeni isolates from the turtles at the street vendor. This close genetic relationship means that human infections in this outbreak are likely linked to turtles.

All turtles, regardless of size, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. These outbreaks are a reminder to follow simple steps to enjoy pet reptiles and keep your family healthy.

This outbreak is expected to continue since consumers might be unaware of the risk of Salmonella infection from small turtles. If properly cared for, turtles have a long life expectancy.

37
Cases

13
States

16
Hospitalizations

0
Deaths

CDC and multiple states are investigating a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles.

Thirty-seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agbeni have been reported from 13 states.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 1, 2017 to August 3, 2017

Of 33 people with available information, 16 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Twelve (32%) ill people are children 5 years of age or younger.

Epidemiologic and laboratory findings link the outbreak of human Salmonella Agbeni infections to contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about contact with animals during the week before becoming ill. Fifteen (45%) of the 33 people interviewed reported contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat, before getting sick.

In interviews with 9 ill people about where their turtles came from, 6 reported buying a turtle from a flea market or street vendor, or receiving the turtle as a gift.

In 2015, state and local health officials collected samples from turtles at a street vendor. Whole genome sequencing showed that the Salmonella Agbeni isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the Salmonella Agbeni isolates from turtles. This close genetic relationship means that people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection.

All turtles, regardless of size, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. These outbreaks are a reminder to follow simple steps to enjoy pet reptiles and keep your family healthy.

This outbreak is expected to continue since consumers might be unaware of the risk of Salmonella infection from small turtles. If properly cared for, turtles have a long life expectancy.

Do not purchase, or give as a gift, turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches in size.

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling turtles or anything in the area where they live or roam, or after contact with pet feces. Do not touch your face, other people or any surface until hands have been washed.

Keep turtles out of homes with children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, or people with weakened immune systems.

Do not handle a turtle and an infant (such as feed, change diaper, or bathe) at the same time.

Releasing unwanted turtles into the wild is not recommended. Many pet retailers, pet stores, local animal shelters, zoos, or turtle rescues accept unwanted turtles. Talk to your veterinarian about other options.

Pet stores, street vendors, and others should not sell or distribute turtles with shell lengths less than 4 inches. Be aware that federal law prohibitsExternal the distribution of these small turtles.

Distribution of pet turtles includes offering them for adoption or for free with or without the purchase of pet supplies such as turtle tanks or food.

Pet stores, street vendors, and others who sell or display turtles should provide health information to owners and potential purchasers of turtles near the turtle display and not at the cash register.

This should include information about the risk of acquiring a Salmonella infection from turtles or from water in their habitats (tanks or aquariums), and instructions for proper cleaning of the turtle habitat.